Page 55 of Worth the Fall
“Thank you,” I responded, taking the reins of the Paint Horse and rubbing her neck. “She’s gorgeous.”
She was identical to my horse growing up, even had the same chestnut spots. I already loved her so much.
“Ellie, I’ve got Marty saddled, but are you sure you don’twannaride with Ally or me?” Colton asked, his hands on his hips like a stern dad.
“Yes! He adores me!” She assured. She lifted her arms, and Colton helped her onto the speckled Appaloosa horse. He was huge, and from the way he held himself, I could tell he was in charge.
I slid my foot in the stirrup, grabbed the saddlehorn, and swung my leg around. Muscle memory flooding my veins.
By the time I was settled, I looked over at Colton. His mouth was open ina surprised smile. “Alright, well, we weregonnago over the basics of horseridin’, but clearly we don’t need to.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I laughed, not sure how else to respond.
“There’s a nice trail ride through the woods. We’ll just go as long asy’all want.” He climbed on his own horse, between thetwo little boys, and gripped the reins.
Hunter was in front, clutching the saddlehornand grinning like a chimp. Cash sat on the back of the saddle, holding his hat above his head and yelling “yee-haw” over and over again.
Ellie caught my eye. “Boys, am I right?”
I snorted. “You are right.”
I tightened my reins and followed Colton and Ellie. He was right about the horse, Gracie. She was a sweetheart, walking as gently as she could and letting me control as much as I needed.
Ellie’s horse, Marty, on the other hand, was a menace. He fought every command, stopped to eatwhenever he wanted, and even tried bucking a few times.
“Ellie, why don’t you hop on with Ally, and I can just lead Marty?” Colton called, his eyebrows knit together in tight concern.
Ellie tightened her reins, squeezing her legs together on Marty’s shoulders. “No! He needs to learn!”
Colton caught my eye. “I don’t know which one of them is more stubborn.”
I smiled. Ellie was so mad that she was red in the face. Marty was whining and stomping his feet, making me feel as nervous as Colton looked. “Ellie, why don’t we switch?”
“If you guys would stoptalkin’,I could get this sorted out!” She yelled back.
“Alrighty, then,” Cash muttered.
“Let me know if you need anythin’,” Colton called as we continued.
The dusty pastures had faded into a giant wood. Withtowering trees so green I could barely see through them. The air was so fresh, it felt as though it was clearing the fog out of my brain for good.
“So, you didn’t tell me you were an expert rider,” Colton said as we trotted through the forest. “You continue to amaze me, Ally.”
Ally.
The smell of the animals, the feel of the horse under my body, the muscle memory flooding my veins, “Ally,” it was all getting too familiar. I rubbed Gracie’s neck. “She’s just a good horse,” my old accent flooded the sentence. I swallowed and cleared my throat. “Did you train her?” A classic corporate strategy, shifting the subject with a personal question.
Colton repositioned Cash’s arms around his waist, keeping one arm around Hunter. “My dad did. He can break any horse; it’s a gift. But quit avoidin’ me gettin’ to know you!”
I smiled in surprise. “I am doing no such thing.”
He tilted his head. “Sure, Ally, sure.”
We all rode in silence for a few minutes, taking in the picturesque beauty that surrounded us. As much as I loved the city, the business and predictability, I couldn’t deny my yearning for wide open spaces.
Deep in the distance, dark clouds were gathering, confirming Colton’s theory of rain. I was busy looking up at the leaves, dancing in the wind, when I heard the grumble of thunder.
“Marty, no!” Ellie screamed.
